What the Heck is Lanolin? What the Heck is Lanolin? 1 Comment Many people know lanolin to have positive moisture properties for our skin. But what exactly is lanolin and where does it come from? Most people either don’t know that answer or don’t realize the consequences behind using it. Lanolin is extracted from the wool of sheep, specifically, from their oil glands. Whether you knew this or not doesn’t matter, what matters is whether you buy it or continue to. When buying a product that is made with or from lanolin, you are directly or indirectly supporting the wool industry. If you don’t already know about the horrors of the wool industry be sure to check out the problem with UGG boots here and where to find vegan boots here . Though extracting lanolin from wool is not itself harmful, the wool industry is. And by buying a product that contains this ingredient, you are still financially supporting them. And whether or not the sheep is killed in the process or getting this wool, sheared or mulesing (very cruel!), the sheep will be killed regardless when their production of wool starts to decline or in the process of mulesing itself.

Another question that seems to come up is what exact products is this animal derived ingredient typically found? Because of lanolin’s protective qualities, it is commonly used in cosmetic creams and lotions designed to smooth and moisturize the skin. Though this is the most common product, below, you will find that this doesn’t stop it from getting into so many others! Alternatives are not only essential to those who wish to not support this cruel industry but for those who receive allergic reactions. Besides, although this may seem like a natural ingredient, why use an animal derived ingredient if there are alternatives? Animals are not ours to use just as we are not for other human use. Natural ingredients that can be used as an alternative for skin include: aloe, olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil. Also, there is such thing as vegetable lanolin that is 100% plant based! Products (but are not limited to) that contain lanolin: *Disclaimer: these products may or may not test on animals. Further research is required and can be easily done here !* · St.

Ives Blemish and Blackhead Apricot Scrub *(which in itself is no longer cruelty-free!) · Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer · Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac (0) The great thing about the links above is you can easily click any category and it will show you all the products that contain lanolin! It’s as simple as this. An easy way to go about this is to simply get in the habit of checking the ingredients of the products you use or to go through the database and see which cruelty-free companies that you already use contain lanolin. Another caution is for vegan tattoo aftercare. Some lotions that you will receive can contain lanolin. Coconut oil is a wonderful alternative to this! Again, these products may or may not be tested on animals. The goal here is to realize how crucial it is to look at ingredients and be aware of what is in them. Though lanolin may not be in all products, it is in a lot more than you would think, as you can see. Just because you know a company is cruelty-free, this doesn’t always mean they don’t contain any animal derived ingredients, Burt’s Bees, for example.

Finding alternatives to products that use animal derived ingredients can be a lot simpler than you’d think. Switching to a 100% natural ingredient like coconut, for example, has wonderful, wonderful benefits for you and for animals! If you’d still rather use a product itself, finding a 100% vegan product can be fairly easy, too. Notice I said fairly since research is required. But, once you adapt and realize which companies do and don’t test, you’ll be a pro before you know it! No animals need to be harmed in order to use a certain product. 99.9% of the time there is a substitute or alternative. You will not only feel better about doing this but the animals will thank you. Related articles across the web file:///c:/Webpage/New Merino/index.htm FAQ Q.) Where does Lanolin come from? A.) Lanolin is a skin secretion of sheep and is extracted in the processing of wool. Q) Are animals harmed by extracting Lanolin? A) No. Lanolin is removed from the wool which has previously been shorn from sheep. Simply put, they get a hair cut and Lanolin is removed from the hair. The sheep are fine.

Q) I have heard Lanolin contains pesticides? A) Merino Lanolin contains no pesticide or pesticide residue. First it comes from New Zealand where pristine environment is highly renowned and zealously guarded. Second, through the use of stringent testing and quality control only the purest form of Lanolin is used in the manufacture of Merino. To be honest the pesticide rumor is a Lanolin myth that may once have had some basis in fact but today has little merit. Companies and consumers are mindful of the perceived harmful effects of pesticides, such that their use is much restricted and continual testing is performed to prevent residual unwanted chemicals in products sold to the consumer. Q) If Lanolin is what makes Merino so good why not use just pure Lanolin? A) Pure Lanolin has been called wool grease and not without reason. It is greasy and difficult to use. It might be likened to putting Vaseline on you skin. It might work if you could keep it applied but not particularly pleasant or realistic as we go about our daily routine. Further, Merino contains other ingredients that help make the Lanolin even more effective on your skin. Q) How does Merino help to heal my skin? A) Merino helps by creating a healing environment.

When your skin is dry, cuts and cracks have a difficult time healing because they loose elasticity due to loss of moisture. The Lanolin in Merino acts as an emollient, softening and soothing the skin and adding and retaining moisture. Due to its similarity to our own oils Lanolin can penetrate the skin better than most other oils. Q) Why is Merino good for Diabetics? A) As a direct result of the disease, diabetics frequently have poor circulation cracking and very dry skin, particularly in the feet. Once started the cracking is very difficult to heal. Merino softens and promotes a healing environment on the skin and once healed maintains a much healthier skin in the areas applied. An added benefit is that by applying the Merino circulation is stimulated to those areas. Diabetic professionals such as Sunnie Bell have endorsed Merino for diabetes sufferers. Q) I think I am allergic to Lanolin? A) Allergies to Lanolin have been greatly exaggerated in years past. While some people are allergic to Lanolin many more are actually allergic to other ingredients in products being used. Almost all reactions are confined to mild redness and itching. Merino uses fractions of Lanolin to further reduce the possible reactions of users.

Q) How much do I apply at once? A) Remember, frequent small applications are much preferred to infrequent heavy applications. It is not necessary to use a large quantity of product at a time. Q) Aren�t all Hand Creams pretty much alike? A) First off, Merino is a SKIN CREAM. Use it wherever you have skin. No all creams are not alike. The single most important ingredient in Merino is Lanolin. Once you use Merino you will immediately feel the difference. Here is a test. Work in the garden or work your hands in dirt without gloves. When you wash your hand they still feel rough and chapped and quite uncomfortable. Then apply Merino Skin Cream to your hands in several small applications. Your hands will feel great. In fact you will quickly forget your former discomfort. Animal Ingredients – What is Lanolin? - Logical Harmony Beauty & Cosmetics , Hair Care , Lifestyle , Nail Care , Product Reviews , Recipes , Skin Care Animal Ingredients – What is Lanolin? One of the most commonly used animal ingredients in cosmetics is lanolin. It’s most frequently found in lotions and lipsticks – anything that needs to be moisturizing.

What exactly is it that you’re putting on your skin with these products? Lanolin is a waxy yellow substance that is secreted by the glands of wool bearing mammals. Typically, this means from sheep. It’s also called wool wax or wool grease. Just like lactoferrin , once you find out what it is, odds are you won’t want it on your skin. It’s what gives sheep their waterproof winter coat and protects them from the elements. This is why it’s also used in products that prevent metal from rusting. Many people believe that lanolin is a cruelty free item that comes from the wool of sheep as they are shorn. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The majority if the time, the sheep have been slaughtered for their meat and the lanolin is a by product of this meat industry. As with sheep that are bred for their wool supply, the end goal is to slaughter the animals for their meat. While lanolin may help make your skin feel smooth, do you really want to put something on your skin that’s also used to prevent metal from rusting? An even more important question – do you really want animals to go to slaughter for you to use these moisturizers?

There are many great vegan options out there that don’t contain animal ingredients and have not been tested on animals. There are products from Earthly Body , Nature’s Gate , and Lush all have a variety of moisturizers that are cruelty free, vegan and work great! There’s no need to use lanolin to have a great moisturizer! Subscribe Here Veganism: Vitamin D and Lanolin Vitamin D and Lanolin by Christine Wells and Laura Schults on February 29, 2012 You may well be used to reading the word ‘lanolin’ on various non-vegan cosmetics and toiletries, especially any product that is applied directly to your skin. But what some people are not yet aware of is the many other ways that this particular animal-based ingredient creeps into food and even dietary supplements, including that magical but mysterious hormone that we call Vitamin D. Considering all the fuss around Vitamin D recommendations (which are of particular concern for our friends living in cooler climates where it’s difficult to self-generate enough Vitamin D through appropriate sun exposure ), we thought it was important to try to clear up some of the confusion.

Hopefully the information presented here will help to demystify the issue and demonstrate that adequate levels of vitamin D are perfectly obtainable without sacrificing one’s principles. As anyone who has practiced veganism for a considerable amount of time is no doubt aware, our material culture is saturated with animal-derived products. For new vegans, this can seem daunting, but with a little research you can make informed choices aligned with your ethics. This is not simply a quest for personal purity (though for many of us that is a perfectly valid aspiration), it’s about understanding the extent to which our daily actions indirectly contribute to animal suffering, and doing the best we can to diminish our part in their exploitation. What is Lanolin? Lanolin is a waxy substance derived from sheep’s wool, and is sometimes referred to as wool wax, wool grease and, less frequently, wool fat. In nature, the lanolin that sheep secrete makes their wool water-resistant and protects their coats from the environment. Lanolin is a byproduct of wool farming (an inherently cruel industry) and is gathered after the sheep has been shorn. The fleece is cleaned through a process called scouring, in which it is submerged in a hot detergent solution.

The lanolin is then collected from the solution by high-speed centrifugation. How is Lanolin used? The human uses of lanolin are very similar to the sheep’s. It is used as an emollient in cosmetics, skin care, hair care, toiletries, and personal care products. It is also a common ingredient in medicine, especially dermatological agents. And it can also be used as a food additive, e.g. as a base for chewing gum, which is often simply referred to as ‘gum base’. Derivatives of lanolin include Aliphatic Alcohols, Cholesterin, Isopropyl Lanolate, Laneth, Lanogene, Lanolin Alcohols, Lanosterols, Sterols, and Triterpene Alcohols. Because of its ubiquity, lanolin and its derivatives may initially seem hard to avoid. However, there are many vegan options available for toiletries and personal care products from online vegan stores and health food stores. Note: The consumer should also be aware that “cruelty-free” does not necessarily mean “free of animal products,” so it’s still important to read the label.

Items that proclaim themselves “cruelty-free” generally refer to animal testing, but do not refer to the exclusion of animal ingredients.. Lanolin and Vitamin D One of the medicinal uses of lanolin is in the manufacture of Vitamin D. The body uses this vitamin to assist in calcium absorption, and low levels of D are also associated with a higher rate of cancer. There are two forms of vitamin D; D2 (ergocalciferol), which is found in plants, and D3 (cholecalciferol), which the bodies of animals (including ours) make when the skin is exposed to sunlight. According to some sources, D2 from plants does not fulfill our bodies’ requirements, making D3 essential for optimum health (one of many good reasons to engage in responsible sunbathing ). However, thankfully for those living in colder climates, newer research has demonstrated that “smaller, sustained doses” of D2 are just as acceptable. Vegan Registered Dietitian Brenda Davis provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-read explanation of Vitamin D, including a discussion of the differences between D2 and D3.

Her conclusion is simple: “… vegans who seek out vitamin D2 in order to avoid animal products may need to consume greater amounts to get the same benefit as what is provided by vitamin D3.” (Read Davis’ article for more specifics about recommended doses.). Vitamin D Supplements – Vegan or Not? A number of common foods are enriched with vitamin D without specifying which form of the vitamin they contain or how it was derived. And, as opaque as this may already seem, some companies that manufacture and distribute vitamin D supplements do not always make it clear whether their products are vegan or not. Garden of Life, for instance, has recently released a fully vegan line of supplements called MyKIND, which includes a vegan D3, but they also sell a product called RAW D3, which is described as ‘vegetarian,’ although it’s synthesized from lanolin. (Note: There is another brand with a very similar name that actually IS vegan. Source of Life Garden™ Vitamin D3 is, in fact, vegan, as verified by their customer support staff.) This unfortunately does not appear to be an isolated incident. A reader recently informed us about a Vitamin D3 supplement made by Kroger, marketed under their ‘Simple Truth’ label.

The label states that the Vitamin D source is vegetarian. When the consumer called the company, he was told that their specialist considers lanolin to be “vegan.” Vegan RD Jack Norris has identified at least two other companies that may have provided misleading information about their products. Megafoods has claimed that their Vitamin D supplements are vegan, but it appears that they have since abrogated the claim. LifeGive Sun D is advertised by UpayaNaturals and Alive Raw as vegan D3, but provides no information regarding its manufacture and has not responded to our inquiries. The Vegetarian Resource Group looked into this issue further, interviewing scientists and biotech experts to ascertain whether synthesized D3 must necessarily be derived from animal ingredients. They found that an alternative does indeed exist. In the early nineties, Amoco BioProducts of Illinois produced a “mutant yeast-derived provitamin D3” which is most commonly used in poultry feed because it “ameliorates the effects of leg bone deformation while maintaining weight gain during the rearing process.” In case you missed it: the vegan D3 is manufactured to support industrial animal farming.

It is not commonly used in human products, and one of VRG’s sources surmises that this is likely because lanolin is so readily available that there is no incentive to adopt alternative methods. This is another reason for vegans to contact companies and let them know we’re seeking plant-based options... Vegan Sources of Vitamin D3 We can now proudly report that since VRG’s inquiry, you can now find vegan Vitamin D3 supplements that are genuinely vegan! Vitashine has clarified prior research demonstrating that D3 can be derived from lichen. They offer a candid explanation of their supplements here . Also, as mentioned above, Source of Life Garden™ Vitamin D3 is vegan, though it is important not to confuse this product with the non-vegan product from Garden of Life. Obviously there’s a lot of partial information or simple misinformation that can obstruct our responsible judgment. But we can gladly conclude that you can get all the Vitamin D you need on a vegan diet. Let’s sum up: Vitamin D2 is always vegan, and recent research has shown it can be just as effective as nonvegan forms of D3. Most D3 supplements are not vegan, but Vitashine now offers a truly vegan D3 supplement developed from lichen.

You can also hang out under the sun to meet your daily requirements. The time you need to spend outside varies based on location and skin tone. Read this article for more information about responsible sunbathing. Products fortified with Vitamin D may or may not be using the lanolin derivative. In these cases, it’s best to follow up with the manufacturer before making a purchase. Killing You Softly: the Dangers of Lanolin - Mamavation Mamavation Pinterest0 If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you’ve probably been recommended to use products containing lanolin to ease sore nipples from breastfeeding. The FDA has approved lanolin for use in many products, such as cosmetics, lip balm and nipple cream, but is lanolin really safe for you – and more importantly, for your baby? What is Lanolin? Lanolin is a waxy substance that coats a sheep’s fur, keeping it moist and protecting its skin. After a sheep has been shorn, a waxy substance called sebum is left on the fur, which comes from the animal’s sebaceous glands – just like human skin produces oil – and is affected by hormone production.

While lanolin contains sebum, according to “ The Scouring Post ” by Elaine Benfatto, lanolin can also contain sweat, dirt, dust, pollen, fecal matter and more. In addition, different sheep breeds create different consistencies and make up of lanolin. Lanolin must first be purified before it can be used in any products to remove all the garbage and that can be a challenge. This refining process varies greatly between different companies, the chemicals used and the degree of purity in the process. After refinement, lanolin is used in a number of skin care and beauty products for consumer and in hospitals for wound care, but it’s also one of the most common ingredients for nipple cream, which provides relief from cracked and sore nipples to breastfeeding moms. GMOs in Your Lanolin While refining can be complicated and difficult, the real problem with lanolin is its toxic makeup. Sheep that are conventionally farmed in the U.S. for wool are typically not raised organic. According to the American Sheep Industry Association document, “ Fast Facts about Sheep Ecology (PDF),” sheep eat a range of foods and much of their feed is made of alfalfa, which is considered “grass” and does contain GMOs.

They may also may be given GMO supplements. GMOs are endocrine disruptors which can, in turn, affect the lanolin that sheep secrete. Other foods sources hold potential problems as well. According to Susan Schoenian at “ Shepherd’s Notebook ,” dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), which are made from corn products distilled at ethanol factories, are becoming a popular source of food for sheep. However, this food source may have a negative impact on reproduction in sheep herds. The corn used in these ethanol factories can be GMO-based. However, the biggest danger of lanolin is that sheep are sprayed directly with pesticides to treat mites and pests. In addition, harvested fur is treated again with pesticides during refinement. Lanolin can legally contain up to 40 parts per million (ppm) of pesticides to be FDA-compliant. This is interesting to note because lanolin that is reserved for hospital use on open wounds is regulated to no more than 3 ppm of pesticides. Lanolin Can Be Harmful for Babies So Choose Organic While these minuscule amounts may not pose much of a harmful effect for human adults, babies exposed to lanolin while breastfeeding are not safe.

According to Livestrong’s article on the “ Infant Digestive System Development ,” when mothers nurse a newborn, they provide the enzymes the baby is lacking because their digestive system is too immature. Even with the enzymes present in mother’s milk, they may not have enough enzymes to process out pesticides. Exposing them to the impurities inherent in lanolin can be harmful to their systems. Because lanolin goes directly into your baby’s mouth, we recommend using organic products to ensure that everything that goes on your skin – and into your child’s mouth – is GMO and pesticide free. Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics makes a natural nipple cream that is non-GMO and contains no lanolin. Products like this ensure the health and well-being of your baby. Disclosure: Mamavation has worked with Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics. JOIN THE MAMAVATION COMMUNITY! Making Cruelty-Free Choices: Animal Ingredients in Beauty Products | One Green Planet Making Cruelty-Free Choices: Animal Ingredients in Beauty Products Ginger Burr, Image Consultant August 29, 2012 Doesn’t it seem sometimes like animal ingredients are in everything?

The more you start looking and analyzing labels, the more you realize that animals suffer needlessly so we can have more stuff in our lives. As awareness of the cruelty factor involved in eating animals becomes more widespread, more and more people are turning to a plant-based diet. That’s all good, and it leads to the next step – realizing that this is only one part of how we use animals. The more animals we kill to eat the more non-edible parts there are to dispose of. Rather than allocate such massive amounts of by-products to the waste facility, we have found creative ways to use them. These ingredients are not better than non-animal ingredients, they are just more readily available and cheap. Let’s consider the beauty industry. Are you aware that animals could be lurking in your lipstick, moisturizer and nail polish remover? When you think about buying a lipstick, for example, chances are good you think about what color looks good and how easily it glides on. Maybe you consider whether it stays on for hours or disappears quickly. Is the packaging pretty, useful, or recyclable? Rarely, except for the new awareness around controversial ingredients that might be unsafe or an allergen we want to avoid, do we scrutinize the list of ingredients.

Is it important? Yes! Does it make a difference? Yes! Every time you make a purchase you make a statement about what is and what isn’t okay with you. It is heartening to see that cruelty-free, vegan beauty products are popping up with more frequency, and to keep this trend going, we need to continue to support it as it grows. How do you do that? Review the list of ingredients on your favorite products and look for ones that have come from an animal. Let’s start with a few ingredients that might surprise you: 1. Lanolin. Lanolin is excreted sheep sebum (oil) and is used as a lubricating agent and emulsifier in many beauty products including lipstick. The popular thinking here is that it comes from sheep’s wool, right? So what’s the big deal?

Something that comes from sheep’s wool seems benign enough until you learn about how often sheep are bred to have excessive folds (to unnaturally produce more wool), how they can be eaten alive by maggots when flies get into those folds, how they have flesh cut off their back ends (a practice called mulesing) to avoid the maggot infestation, and how they are shipped off to slaughter when they no longer produce enough wool. Since lanolin is a by-product of this industry, it is definitely not a cruelty-free ingredient. Want a great alternative? Try Sevi’s Vegan Mineral Lipsticks . 2. Squalane/Squalene. The squalene in your cosmetic products can come from sharks or vegetable sources such as olive oil. There is a movement towards more and more plant-extracted squalene but shark squalene is still in use. It has great benefits because it is a natural, oil-free moisturizer but deep sea sharks are being greatly overfished and their population is dwindling. Choosing only products that use plant-based squalene will help support and protect the deep sea sharks’ survival. Would you like the benefits of the moisturizing properties of squalene without the cruelty?

Lanolin - Skinstore Lanolin Lanolin Lanolin is a yellow, sticky substance that's derived most commonly from the sebaceous glands of sheep, although it can come from other wool-bearing animals like goats as well. It can't be made synthetically. In sheep, this oily substance helps to protect their coats against the environment and insect bites. Lanolin can be obtained from sheep without harming them. When sheep are sheared to remove their coat, the lanolin can be extracted by squeezing the wool between tight rollers without harm to the animal. Lanolin has been used topically for thousands of years to treat dry skin and other skin conditions. Lanolin has a variety of commercial applications. It's used for industrial purposes and has medical and cosmetic applications. Industrially, lanolin is used to make lubricants for metal parts and musical instruments and to make water and dirt repellant coatings. It's used to protect metal parts including cars and boats against rust and corrosion. It's also an ingredient in shoe polish and products used to condition and protect leather. In the medical and pharmaceutical industry, lanolin is an ingredient in some ophthalmic products and is used in the production of vitamin D for supplements and to soften chewing gum.

Some doctors recommend medical-grade lanolin to treat nipple soreness in women who are breastfeeding. In the cosmetic and personal care industry, lanolin is an ingredient in a wide array of products including moisturizers, baby products, soaps, personal lubricants, shaving creams, hair products and sun protective products. In these products, it functions as an emollient to soften and smooth skin and as a skin and hair conditioning agent. It also helps to stabilize emulsions. Cosmetics are typically formulated with both oil and water-soluble ingredients. Emulsion stabilizers like lanolin help to keep the two phases from separating. This allows the product to function better and extends its shelf-life. For hair, lanolin has anti-static and conditioning properties. As a moisturizer, lanolin is an occlusive and an emollient. As an emollient, it coats the outer layer of the epidermis and prevents water loss. Lanolin is very effective for preventing loss of water through the skin. It contains cholesterol, a fat naturally found in the outer layer of the skin that reduces water loss and keeps skin moist. Some studies show that lanolin is a better moisturizer than petrolatum, considered to be one of the best ingredients for reducing moisture loss.

Petrolatum is derived from crude oil, while lanolin comes from natural sources. Although lanolin is an effective skin occlusive and emollient, it has a reputation for being an allergen. Although some people are allergic to lanolin, the problem may not be as widespread as previously thought. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that 1.7% of people are allergic to lanolin. Despite the relatively low rate of contact allergy to lanolin, some cosmetic companies have removed lanolin from their products and advertise them as being lanolin-free. Lanolin is made up of fatty alcohols, fatty acids, cholesterol and wool alcohols. Most people who are allergic to lanolin are reacting to the wool alcohols in lanolin. Therefore, people who are allergic to wool should avoid using products that contain lanolin. People who are allergic to the wool alcohols in lanolin typically experience an itchy rash, skin redness and swelling after using a product containing lanolin. Patch testing is used to determine whether a true lanolin allergy exists, although patch testing may not be 100% accurate.

Patch testing uses wool alcohol as the challenge, and it's not clear whether other components in lanolin also cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. All in all, lanolin is a very effective moisturizing agent that helps skin hold on to moisture. It's still one of the most effective treatments for dry, itchy skin. There's still the perception that allergies to lanolin are common, but these days lanolin is more purified, which may account for the relatively low incidence of allergies seen in more recent studies. If you're not allergic to wool and haven't had a problem with lanolin in the past, there's no reason to avoid it. Animal Ingredient List A-Z - HappyCow Read our blog article exposing so-called "natural flavors" made from hidden animal parts and by-products. Download the pocket version created by member, Jive. Note: We've been informed that some of the compounds listed below, while could be obtained from animal products, haven't been obtained from animals for many years due to the fact that they are readily industrially synthesized and cheaper to get than to go through the process of obtaining them from animal products. Animal Ingredient List A-Z Hormone from adrenal glands of hogs, cattle, and sheep. In medicine.

Alternatives: synthetics. Alanine. (See Amino Acids.) Albumen. In eggs, milk, muscles, blood, and many vegetable tissues and fluids. In cosmetics, albumen is usually derived from egg whites and used as a coagulating agent. May cause allergic reaction. In cakes, cookies, candies, etc. Egg whites sometimes used in "clearing" wines. Derivative: Albumin. Albumin. (See Lanolin and Vitamin A.) Allantoin. Uric acid from cows, most mammals. Also in many plants (especially comfrey). In cosmetics (especially creams and lotions) and used in treatment of wounds and ulcers. Derivatives: Alcloxa, Aldioxa. Alternatives: extract of comfrey root, synthetics. Alligator Skin. (See Leather.) Alpha-Hydroxy Acids. Any one of several acids used as an exfoliant and in anti-wrinkle products. Lactic acid may be animal-derived (see Lactic Acid). Alternatives: glycolic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid are plant- or fruit-derived. Ambergris. From whale intestines.

Used as a fixative in making perfumes and as a flavoring in foods and beverages. Alternatives: synthetic or vegetable fixatives. Amino Acids. The building blocks of protein in all animals and plants. In cosmetics, vitamins, supplements, shampoos, etc. Alternatives: synthetics, plant sources. Aminosuccinate Acid. Hair from the Angora rabbit or goat. Used in clothing. Alternatives: synthetic fibers. Animal Fats and Oils. In foods, cosmetics, etc. Highly allergenic. Alternatives: olive oil, wheat germ oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, almond oil, safflower oil, etc. Animal Hair. In some blankets, mattresses, brushes, furniture, etc. Alternatives: vegetable and synthetic fibers. Arachidonic Acid. A liquid unsaturated fatty acid that is found in liver, brain, glands, and fat of animals and humans. Generally isolated from animal liver. Used in companion animal food for nutrition and in skin creams and lotions to soothe eczema and rashes. Alternatives: synthetics, aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula ointment. Arachidyl Proprionate.

A wax that can be from animal fat. Alternatives: peanut or vegetable oil. Aspartic Acid. Aminosuccinate Acid. Can be animal or plant source (e.g., molasses). Sometimes synthesized for commercial purposes. Bee Pollen. Microsporic grains in seed plants gathered by bees then collected from the legs of bees. Causes allergic reactions in some people. In nutritional supplements, shampoos, toothpastes, deodorants. Alternatives: synthetics, plant amino acids, pollen collected from plants. Bee Products. Produced by bees for their own use. Bees are selectively bred. Culled bees are killed. A cheap sugar is substituted for their stolen honey. Millions die as a result. Their legs are often torn off by pollen-collection trapdoors. Beeswax. Honeycomb. Wax obtained from melting honeycomb with boiling water, straining it, and cooling it. From virgin bees. Very cheap and widely used but harmful to the skin. In lipsticks and many other cosmetics (especially face creams, lotions, mascara, eye creams and shadows, face makeups, nail whiteners, lip balms, etc.). Derivatives: Cera Flava.

Alternatives: paraffin, vegetable oils and fats. Ceresin, aka ceresine, aka earth wax. (Made from the mineral ozokerite. Replaces beeswax in cosmetics. Also used to wax paper, to make polishing cloths, in dentistry for taking wax impressions, and in candle-making.) Also, carnauba wax (from the Brazilian palm tree; used in many cosmetics, including lipstick; rarely causes allergic reactions). Candelilla wax (from candelilla plants; used in many cosmetics, including lipstick; also in the manufacture of rubber and phonograph records, in waterproofing and writing inks; no known toxicity). Japan wax (Vegetable wax. Japan tallow. Fat from the fruit of a tree grown in Japan and China.). Benzoic Acid. In almost all vertebrates and in berries. Used as a preservative in mouthwashes, deodorants, creams, aftershave lotions, etc. Alternatives: cranberries, gum benzoin (tincture) from the aromatic balsamic resin from trees grown in China, Sumatra, Thailand, and Cambodia. Beta Carotene.(See Carotene.) Biotin. Vitamin H. Vitamin B Factor.

In every living cell and in larger amounts in milk and yeast. Used as a texturizer in cosmetics, shampoos, and creams. Alternatives: plant sources. Blood. From any slaughtered animal. Used as adhesive in plywood, also found in cheese-making, foam rubber, intravenous feedings, and medicines. Possibly in foods such as lecithin. Alternatives: synthetics, plant sources. Boar Bristles. Hair from wild or captive hogs. In "natural" toothbrushes and bath and shaving brushes. Alternatives: vegetable fibers, nylon, the peelu branch or peelu gum (Asian, available in the U.S.; its juice replaces toothpaste). Bone Char. Animal bone ash. Used in bone china and often to make sugar white. Serves as the charcoal used in aquarium filters. Alternatives: synthetic tribasic calcium phosphate. Bone Meal. Crushed or ground animal bones. In some fertilizers. In some vitamins and supplements as a source of calcium. In some tooth paste. Alternatives: plant mulch, vegetable compost, dolomite, clay, vegetarian vitamins. Bonito. Dried flakes from fish. Frequently used in Japanese cooking. Calciferol.

(See Urea.) Carmine. Cochineal. Carminic Acid. Red pigment from the crushed female cochineal insect. Reportedly, 70,000 beetles must be killed to produce one pound of this red dye. Used in cosmetics, shampoos, red apple sauce, and other foods (including red lollipops and food coloring). May cause allergic reaction. Alternatives: beet juice (used in powders, rouges, shampoos; no known toxicity); alkanet root (from the root of this herb-like tree; used as a red dye for inks, wines, lip balms, etc.; no known toxicity. Can also be combined to make a copper or blue coloring). (See Colors.) Carminic Acid. (See Carmine.) Casein. Caseinate. Sodium Caseinate. Milk protein. In "non-dairy" creamers, soy cheese, many cosmetics, hair preparations, beauty masks. Alternatives: soy protein, soy milk, and other vegetable milks. Caseinate. Fatty acids and sugars found in the covering of nerves. May include tissue from brain. Cetyl Alcohol. Wax found in spermaceti from sperm whales or dolphins.

Alternatives: Vegetable cetyl alcohol (e.g., coconut), synthetic spermaceti. Cetyl Palmitate. (See Spermaceti.) Chitosan. A fiber derived from crustacean shells. Used as a lipid binder in diet products, in hair, oral and skin care products, antiperspirants, and deodorants. Alternatives: raspberries, yams, legumes, dried apricots, and many other fruits and vegetables. Cholesterin. (See Lanolin.) Cholesterol. A steroid alcohol in all animal fats and oils, nervous tissue, egg yolk, and blood. Can be derived from lanolin. In cosmetics, eye creams, shampoos, etc. Alternatives: solid complex alcohols (sterols) from plant sources. Choline Bitartrate. (See Lecithin.) Civet. Unctuous secretion painfully scraped from a gland very near the genital organs of civet cats. Used as a fixative in perfumes. Alternatives: (See alternatives to Musk.). Cochineal. (See Estrogen.) Estrogen. Estradiol. Female hormones from pregnant mares? urine. Considered a drug.

Can have harmful systemic effects if used by children. Used for reproductive problems and in birth control pills and Premarin, a menopausal drug. In creams, perfumes, and lotions. Has a negligible effect in the creams as a skin restorative; simple vegetable-source emollients are considered better. Alternatives: oral contraceptives and menopausal drugs based on synthetic steroids or phytoestrogens (from plants, especially palm-kernel oil). Menopausal symptoms can also be treated with diet and herbs. Fats. (See Animal Fats.) Fatty Acids. Can be one or any mixture of liquid and solid acids such as caprylic, lauric, myristic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic. Used in bubble baths, lipsticks, soap, detergents, cosmetics, food. Alternatives: vegetable-derived acids, soy lecithin, safflower oil, bitter almond oil, sunflower oil, etc. FD&C Colors. (See Colors.) Feathers. From exploited and slaughtered birds. Used whole as ornaments or ground up in shampoos. (See Down and Keratin.) Fish Liver Oil. Used in vitamins and supplements. In milk fortified with vitamin D.

Alternatives: yeast extract ergosterol and exposure of skin to sunshine. Fish Oil. (See Marine Oil.) Fish oil can also be from marine mammals. Used in soap-making. Fish Scales. Used in shimmery makeups. Alternatives: mica, rayon, synthetic pearl. Fur. Obtained from animals (usually mink, foxes, or rabbits) cruelly trapped in steel-jaw leghold traps or raised in intensive confinement on fur "farms." Alternatives: synthetics. (See Sable Brushes.) Gel. (See Gelatin.) Gelatin. Gel. Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. From cows and pigs. Used in shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics. Used as a thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings (e.g., "Jello"). In candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, yogurts. On photographic film and in vitamins as a coating and as capsules. Sometimes used to assist in "clearing" wines.

Alternatives: carrageen (carrageenan, Irish moss), seaweeds (algin, agar-agar, kelp—used in jellies, plastics, medicine), pectin from fruits, dextrins, locust bean gum, cotton gum, silica gel. Marshmallows were originally made from the root of the marsh mallow plant. Vegetarian capsules are now available from several companies. Digital cameras don't use film. Glucose Tyrosinase. (See Glycerin.) Guanine. Pearl Essence. Obtained from scales of fish. Constituent of ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid and found in all animal and plant tissues. In shampoo, nail polish, other cosmetics. Alternatives: leguminous plants, synthetic pearl, or aluminum and bronze particles. Hide Glue. Same as gelatin but of a cruder impure form. Alternatives: dextrins and synthetic petrochemical-based adhesives. (See Gelatin.) Honey. Food for bees, made by bees. Can cause allergic reactions. Used as a coloring and an emollient in cosmetics and as a flavoring in foods. Should never be fed to infants.

Alternatives: in foods—maple syrup, date sugar, syrups made from grains such as barley malt, turbinado sugar, molasses; in cosmetics—vegetable colors and oils. Honeycomb. (See Animal Hair.) Hyaluronic Acid. A protein found in umbilical cords and the fluids around the joints. Used in cosmetics. Alternatives: plant oils. Hydrocortisone. (See Cortisone.) Hydrolyzed Animal Protein. In cosmetics, especially shampoo and hair treatments. Alternatives: soy protein, other vegetable proteins, amla oil (see alternatives to Keratin). Imidazolidinyl Urea. (See Urea.) Insulin. From hog pancreas. Used by millions of diabetics daily. Alternatives: synthetics, vegetarian diet and nutritional supplements, human insulin grown in a lab. Isinglass. A form of gelatin prepared from the internal membranes of fish bladders. Sometimes used in "clearing" or filtering of wines and in foods. Alternatives: bentonite clay, "Japanese isinglass," agar-agar (see alternatives to Gelatin), mica, a mineral used in cosmetics. Isopropyl Lanolate.

Complex mixtures of isomers of stearic acid and palmitic acid. (See Stearic Acid.) Keratin. Protein from the ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair of various animals. In hair rinses, shampoos, permanent wave solutions. Alternatives: almond oil, soy protein, amla oil (from the fruit of an Indian tree), human hair from salons. Rosemary and nettle give body and strand strength to hair. Lactic Acid. Found in blood and muscle tissue. Also in sour milk, beer, sauerkraut, pickles, and other food products made by bacterial fermentation. Used in skin fresheners, as a preservative, in the formation of plasticizers, etc. Alternative: plant milk sugars, synthetics. Lactose. Milk sugar from milk of mammals. In eye lotions, foods, tablets, cosmetics, baked goods, medicines. Alternatives: plant milk sugars. Laneth. (See Lanolin.) Lard. Fat from hog abdomens. In shaving creams, soaps, cosmetics. In baked goods, French fries, refried beans, and many other foods. Alternatives: pure vegetable fats or oils.

L-Cysteine Hydrochloride. A flour additive often extracted from duck feathers. Found in commercial cereals and baking mixes. Leather. Suede. Calfskin. Sheepskin. Alligator Skin.Other Types of Skin. Subsidizes the meat industry. Used to make wallets, handbags, furniture and car upholstery, shoes, etc. Alternatives: cotton, canvas, nylon, vinyl, ultrasuede, pleather, other synthetics. Lecithin. Choline Bitartrate. Waxy substance in nervous tissue of all living organisms. But frequently obtained for commercial purposes from eggs and soybeans. Also from nerve tissue, blood, milk, corn. Choline bitartrate, the basic constituent of lecithin, is in many animal and plant tissues and prepared synthetically. Lecithin can be in eye creams, lipsticks, liquid powders, hand creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, other cosmetics, and some medicines. Alternatives: soybean lecithin, synthetics. Linoleic Acid. An essential fatty acid. Used in cosmetics, vitamins. Alternatives: (See alternatives to Fatty Acids.) Lipase.

Enzyme from the stomachs and tongue glands of calves, kids, and lambs. Used in digestive aids as it helps the body break down fats. Also commonly found in cheese and dairy products. Alternatives: vegetable enzymes, castor beans. Lipids. Fat and fat-like substances that are found in animals and plants. Alternatives: vegetable oils. Marine Oil. From fish or marine mammals (including porpoises). Used in soap-making. Used as a shortening (especially in some margarines), as a lubricant, and in paint. Alternatives: vegetable oils. Methionine. Essential amino acid found in various proteins (usually from egg albumen and casein). Used as a texturizer and for freshness in potato chips. Alternatives: synthetics. Milk Protein. Hydrolyzed milk protein. From the milk of cows. In cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, etc. Alternatives: soy protein, other plant proteins. Mink Oil. From minks. In cosmetics, creams, etc. Alternatives: vegetable oils and emollients such as avocado oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil. Monoglycerides. Glycerides.

(See Glycerin.) From animal fat. In margarines, cake mixes, candies, foods, etc. In cosmetics. Alternative: vegetable glycerides. Musk (Oil). Dried secretion painfully obtained from musk deer, beaver, muskrat, civet cat, and otter genitals. Wild cats are kept captive in cages in horrible conditions and are whipped around the genitals to produce the scent; beavers are trapped; deer are shot. In perfumes and in food flavorings. Alternatives: labdanum oil (which comes from various rockrose shrubs) and other plants with a musky scent. Labdanum oil has no known Myristal Ether Sulfate. (See Myristic Acid.) Myristic Acid. Organic acid in most animal and vegetable fats. In butter acids. Used in shampoos, creams, cosmetics. In food flavorings. Derivatives: Isopropyl Myristate, Myristal Ether Sulfate, Myristyls, Oleyl Myristate. Alternatives: nut butters, oil of lovage, coconut oil, extract from seed kernels of nutmeg, etc. Myristyls.

(See Myristic Acid.) "Natural Sources." Can mean animal or vegetable sources. Most often in the health food industry, especially in the cosmetics area, it means animal sources, such as animal elastin, glands, fat, protein, and oil. Alternatives: plant sources. Nucleic Acids. In the nucleus of all living cells. Used in cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners, etc. Also in vitamins, supplements. Alternatives: plant sources. Ocenol. Mixture of solid waxy alcohols. Primarily from stearyl alcohol. (See Stearyl Alcohol.) Oleic Acid. Obtained from various animal and vegetable fats and oils. Usually obtained commercially from inedible tallow. (See Tallow.) In foods, soft soap, bar soap, permanent wave solutions, creams, nail polish, lipsticks, many other skin preparations. Derivatives: Oleyl Oleate, Oleyl Stearate. Alternatives: coconut oil. (See alternatives to Animal Fats and Oils.) Oils. (See alternatives to Animal Fats and Oils.) Oleths. (See Oleyl Alcohol.) Oleyl Alcohol. Ocenol. Found in fish oils.

Used in the manufacture of detergents, as a plasticizer for softening fabrics, and as a carrier for medications. Derivatives: Oleths, Oleyl Arachidate, Oleyl Imidazoline. Oleyl Arachidate. (See Palmitic Acid.) Palmitic Acid. From fats, oils (see Fatty Acids). Mixed with stearic acid. Found in many animal fats and plant oils. In shampoos, shaving soaps, creams. Derivatives: Palmitate, Palmitamine, Palmitamide. Alternatives: palm oil, vegetable sources. Panthenol. Dexpanthenol. Vitamin B-Complex Factor. Provitamin B-5. Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics. In shampoos, supplements, emollients, etc. In foods. Derivative: Panthenyl. Alternatives: synthetics, plants. Panthenyl. (See Panthenol.) Pepsin. In hogs' stomachs. A clotting agent. In some cheeses and vitamins. Same uses and alternatives as Rennet. Placenta. Placenta Polypeptides Protein. Afterbirth.

Contains waste matter eliminated by the fetus. Derived from the uterus of slaughtered animals. Animal placenta is widely used in skin creams, shampoos, masks, etc.Alternatives: kelp. (See alternatives to Animal Fats and Oils.) Polyglycerol. Used in lubricating creams and lotions. Derivatives: Squalane, Squalene. Alternatives: vegetable oils. Sheepskin. (See Leather.) Shellac. Resinous Glaze. Resinous excretion of certain insects. Used as a candy glaze, in hair lacquer, and on jewelry. Alternatives: plant waxes. Silk. Silk Powder. Silk is the shiny fiber made by silkworms to form their cocoons. Worms are boiled in their cocoons to get the silk. Used in cloth. In silk-screening (other fine cloth can be and is used instead). Taffeta can be made from silk or nylon. Silk powder is obtained from the secretion of the silkworm. It is used as a coloring agent in face powders, soaps, etc. Can cause severe allergic skin reactions and systemic reactions (if inhaled or ingested).

Alternatives: milkweed seed-pod fibers, nylon, silk-cotton tree and ceiba tree filaments (kapok), rayon, and synthetic silks. Snails. (See Tallow.) Spermaceti. Cetyl Palmitate. Sperm Oil. Waxy oil derived from the sperm whale's head or from dolphins. In many margarines. In skin creams, ointments, shampoos, candles, etc. Used in the leather industry. May become rancid and cause irritations. Alternatives: synthetic spermaceti, jojoba oil, and other vegetable emollients. Sponge (Luna and Sea). A plant-like animal. Lives in the sea. Becoming scarce. Alternatives: synthetic sponges, loofahs (plants used as sponges). Squalane. (See Shark Liver Oil.) Squalene. Oil from shark livers, etc. In cosmetics, moisturizers, hair dyes, surface-active agents. Alternatives: vegetable emollients such as olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, etc. Stearamide. (See Stearyl Alcohol.) Steroids. Sterols. From various animal glands or from plant tissues.

Steroids include sterols. Sterols are alcohol from animals or plants (e.g., cholesterol). Used in hormone preparation. In creams, lotions, hair conditioners, fragrances, etc. Alternatives: plant tissues, synthetics. Sterols. (See Stearyl Alcohol and Steroids.) Suede. (See Leather.) Tallow. Tallow Fatty Alcohol. Stearic Acid. Rendered beef fat. May cause eczema and blackheads. In wax paper, crayons, margarines, paints, rubber, lubricants, etc. In candles, soaps, lipsticks, shaving creams, other cosmetics. Chemicals (e.g., PCB) can be in animal tallow. Derivatives: Sodium Tallowate, Tallow Acid, Tallow Amide, Tallow Amine, Talloweth-6, Tallow Glycerides, Tallow Imidazoline. Alternatives: vegetable tallow, Japan tallow, paraffin and/or ceresin (see alternatives to Beeswax for all three). Paraffin is usually from petroleum, wood, coal, or shale oil. Tallow Acid. (See Lanolin.) Turtle Oil. Sea Turtle Oil.

From the muscles and genitals of giant sea turtles. In soap, skin creams, nail creams, other cosmetics. Alternatives: vegetable emollients (see alternatives to Animal Fats and Oils). Tyrosine. Amino acid hydrolyzed from casein. Used in cosmetics and creams. Derivative: Glucose Tyrosinase. Urea. Carbamide. Excreted from urine and other bodily fluids. In deodorants, ammoniated dentifrices, mouthwashes, hair colorings, hand creams, lotions, shampoos, etc. Used to "brown" baked goods, such as pretzels. Derivatives: Imidazolidinyl Urea, Uric Acid. Alternatives: synthetics. Uric Acid. (See Urea.) Vitamin A. Can come from fish liver oil (e.g., shark liver oil), egg yolk, butter, lemongrass, wheat germ oil, carotene in carrots, and synthetics. It is an aliphatic alcohol. In cosmetics, creams, perfumes, hair dyes, etc. In vitamins, supplements. Alternatives: carrots, other vegetables, synthetics. Vitamin B-Complex Factor.

(See Biotin.) Vitamin B-12. Usually animal source. Some vegetarian B-12 vitamins are in a stomach base. Alternatives: some vegetarian B-12-fortified yeasts and analogs available. Plant algae discovered containing B-12, now in supplement form (spirulina).Some nutritionist caution that fortified foods or supplements are essential. Vitamin D. Ergocalciferol. Vitamin D-2. Ergosterol. Provitamin D-2. Calciferol. Vitamin D-3. Vitamin D can come from fish liver oil, milk, egg yolk, etc. Vitamin D-2 can come from animal fats or plant sterols. Vitamin D-3 is always from an animal source. All the D vitamins can be in creams, lotions, other cosmetics, vitamin tablets, etc. Alternatives: plant and mineral sources, synthetics, completely vegetarian vitamins, exposure of skin to sunshine. Many other vitamins can come from animal sources. Examples: choline, biotin, inositol, riboflavin, etc. Best source is sunlight. Vitamin H. (See Biotin.) Wax.

Glossy, hard substance that is soft when hot. From animals and plants. In lipsticks, depilatories, hair straighteners. Alternatives: vegetable waxes. Whey. A serum from milk. Usually in cakes, cookies, candies, and breads. In cheese-making. Alternatives: soybean whey. Wool. From sheep. Used in clothing. Ram lambs and old "wool" sheep are slaughtered for their meat. Sheep are transported without food or water, in extreme heat and cold. Legs are broken, eyes injured, etc. Sheep are bred to be unnaturally woolly, also unnaturally wrinkly, which causes them to get insect infestations around the tail areas. The farmer's solution to this is the painful cutting away of the flesh around the tail (called "mulesing"). "Inferior" sheep are killed. When shearing the sheep, they are pinned down violently and sheared roughly. Their skin is cut up. Every year, hundreds of thousands of shorn sheep die from exposure to cold. Natural predators of sheep (wolves, coyotes, eagles, etc.) are poisoned, trapped, and shot.

In the U.S., overgrazing of cattle and sheep is turning more than 150 million acres of land to desert. "Natural" wool production uses enormous amounts of resources and energy (to breed, raise, feed, shear, transport, slaughter, etc., the sheep). Derivatives: Lanolin, Wool Wax, Wool Fat. Alternatives: cotton, cotton flannel, synthetic fibers, ramie, etc. Wool Fat. Wool Wax. (See Lanolin.) This list of ingredients & products that contain animal by-products has been re-printed with permission from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA) . Read about animals used for clothing & fashion and what are the alternatives: Vegan Fashion Vitamin D Supplements: Does the Source Matter? | SmartyPants Vitamins Vitamin D Supplements: Does the Source Matter? by Ana Johnson Vitamin D is an important nutrient that may help to keep your bones an joints strong.* You should be able to get most of the vitamin D you need from 10-30 minutes of daily sun exposure with no sunscreen protection, as your skin makes vitamin D from cholesterol when it is exposed to UV rays.

Even though your body can make its own vitamin D, deficiency rates in the US are rising for a variety of reasons. Those with darker skin or who spend a lot of time indoors may be required to supplement vitamin D to maintain normal levels. A vitamin D deficiency can be determined via a simple blood test ordered by your doctor. If you have a deficiency, your doctor may recommend a supplement or give you a prescription for a high dose of the vitamin. But, if you do need a supplement, what type of vitamin D should you take, and where exactly should the vitamin D come from? In most commercial supplements, vitamin D is found in either the D2 (ergocalciferol) form or D3 (cholecalciferol). D2 is made from yeast or other plants. Vitamin D2 is generally used to fortify milk and other food products, but this may not be the ideal form of vitamin D for humans. Many experts believe that D2 is not well absorbed or utilized because it is from plants and not the type of vitamin D our bodies are used to dealing with. Vitamin D3 is the exact form of vitamin D found in the body, and it is the type the sun induces our bodies to make.

D3 is therefore better absorbed and is the preferred form for supplementation. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you should know that D3 is derived from animals, so it is unfortunately not considered a vegan supplement. If you are concerned about vitamin D coming from an animal source, you will have to opt for a supplement containing D2. Vitamin D3 is derived from two places, either fish oil or sheep’s lanolin. Lanolin is a waxy substance that is secreted by glands found in a sheep’s skin. Lanolin helps protect skin against rain or other environmental factors. In order to remove the lanolin from wool, the wool is rolled or squeezed, pushing out a yellowish waxy substance. This wax can then be used as a precursor to the production of vitamin D3. It is also used to soften baseball gloves, produce lip balm, and to make a whole variety of beauty products. In order to make vitamin D3, the lanolin must be purified which results in a substance called 7-dehydrocholesterol, the same precursor of vitamin D found in our skin. Then this substance is converted to D3 via exposure to ultraviolet rays, similar to what happens when our skin is exposed to the sun.

The final product is extremely concentrated D3 and must be blended with other materials in order to achieve the proper dosage for human consumption. The lanolin-based vitamin D will usually be in powder or tablet form, as it is dried before being made into a supplement. Vitamin D from fish oil comes from the skin of fatty fish such as salmon and tuna which naturally contain vitamin D. It may also be produced from cod liver oil, which is extremely high in vitamin D, containing 1360 IU per 1 tablespoon serving, far greater than the RDA of vitamin D (600 IU for most adults). Fish naturally store vitamin D in in their liver and fatty tissues. Fish do not make the vitamin themselves but actually get the vitamin from the plankton they eat . Certain fish oil may be very high in vitamin A , a fat soluble vitamin, making it important to read the label to avoid vitamin A toxicity. The RDA for vitamin A is 700-900 mcg/day. The other danger in vitamin D from fish oil is its mercury content. Mercury, a naturally occurring metal, is also released into the air by pollution. Once in the water, bacteria transform mercury into soluble, toxic methylmercury, which fish absorb.

When we eat fish high in methylmercury, or consume the vitamin D in fish oil derived from these fish, the toxin accumulates in the bloodstream and can endanger the nervous systems of babies and young children as well as the cardiovascular and neurological systems of adults. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of methylmercury. Vitamin D derived from sheep lanolin contain no such mercury risk. So which form of vitamin D is best? If you are not a vegetarian or vegan, choose a supplement containing vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). According to the Vitamin D Council , vitamin D from either lanolin or fish is effective in helping to raise vitamin D levels in the blood. Too much vitamin A can be dangerous for those that are pregnant, and too much mercury can be dangerous for everyone, so vitamin D made from sheep lanolin is probably your safest bet. But, remember the ideal way to get vitamin D is from the sun. So, in addition to a supplement , try to get outside for 10-30 minutes per day for the best source of D!

Posted on December 11, 2012 Ana Johnson Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin | Lansinoh BPA and BPS free What does the “BPA and BPS Free” Icon on your packaging mean? The chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) is widely known to be a hormone disrupter. Acting like an estrogen imposter, BPA has been linked to cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease and a number of other ailments. BPA can be especially dangerous in pregnancy, infancy and childhood – so much so that many governments around the world have banned BPA in the production of baby bottles (as well as other products). The chemical bisphenol-S (BPS) is used as a plasticizer by some manufacturers and, in many cases, has been used to replace BPA. BPS is also a hormone disrupter, but is currently allowed for the production of baby bottles and similar products. Because safety is a top priority for Lansinoh, we have taken proactive measures to ensure our Lansinoh® mOmma® bottles with NaturalWave® Nipples are BPA and BPS free.

Additionally, all our products that may come in contact with breastmilk are BPA and BPS free, as well as our mOmma® toddler line. This includes: Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin Lansinoh® Clean & Condition Baby wipes Lansinoh® Signature Pro™ Double Electric Breast Pump Lansinoh® Smartpump™ Double Electric Breast Pump Lansinoh® Manual Breast Pump Lansinoh® Breastmilk Storage Bottles and Lids Lansinoh® Disposable Nursing Pads and Ultra-Soft Disposable Nursing Pads Lansinoh® LatchAssist® Nipple Everter Lansinoh® Simple Wishes® Hands-Free Pumping Bra Lansinoh® Soothies® Gel Pads TheraoPearl® 3-in-1 Breast Therapy Packs Lansinoh® mOmma® Bottle with NaturalWave® Nipple Lansinoh® mOmma® Spill-Proof Cup Lansinoh® mOmma® Warming Plate Lansinoh® mOmma® Developmental Meal Set Lansinoh is committed to providing breastfeeding solutions so every mom can breastfeed for as long as she chooses.

Moms who use Lansinoh should feel comfortable knowing they’re using safe and effective products, whatever their breastfeeding needs may be. Is Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin BPA and BPS Free? Yes! Because safety is a top priority for Lansinoh, we have taken proactive measures to ensure Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin is both BPA and BPS Free. Can I still use my Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin if it expired? If your tube has expired, we do not recommend using it when breastfeeding – you should purchase a fresh tube. Don’t worry if you have used it before you noticed that it had expired. It is ultra purified and bacteriostatic, meaning it will inhibit bacteria growth. If Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin stains my clothing or bedding, how do I remove it? It’s best to treat it like a grease stain before washing, so use any products that contain a grease-fighting agent. If you have already washed and dried the item, it might take some special effort to remove the stain. However, because lanolin is an organic ester the stain will eventually be removed. Where does lanolin come from?

Lanolin comes from the fleece of sheep after shearing. After the sheep is shorn, the wool is washed but the raw wool grease remains. This material undergoes a series of refinements that result in our ultra pure lanolin. One hundred pounds of wool will yield about two to four pounds of lanolin. It is a natural and renewable raw material - not a processed synthetic compound. The term lanolin comes from the Latin word lana for wool and oleum for oil, although chemically it is a wax not an oil. It comes from a sheep’s sebaceous glands’ secretions that are deposited onto the wool fiber. It is nature’s way of protecting the fleece from the weather’s harmful elements. The reason it is so beneficial when applied to the skin is because it’s an organic ester and similar to the oil our own skin produces (sebum). What if my pet ingests Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin? There is no cause for concern if your pet ingests Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin. Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin is nontoxic and not listed with the Poison Control Center.

It will pass through the gut harmlessly; keep in mind that your pet may have a loose stool. What if my child ingests Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin? Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin does not need to be removed prior to breastfeeding because it is nontoxic. It is not listed with Poison Control Center, so it is not harmful if your child ingests it. If ingested in a larger amount than used by a mother when nursing, Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin will pass through the gut harmlessly and could cause a loose stool. How does Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin work? Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin provides a moisture barrier that slows down the loss of internal moisture that is vital to healthy, supple skin. This eases discomfort and restores natural moisture balance to provide fast relief. It allows for the exchange of air (respiration) and moisture (transpiration) so that the skin does not become over-hydrated. The consistency of Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin is part of its effectiveness.

The skin of the areola contains many nerves, and by coating the free nerve endings and placing them in a more normal environment it can provide instant relief. Do I have to remove Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin before breastfeeding? Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin does not need to be removed prior to breastfeeding because of the intensive purification process used in production. We do recommend applying it after breastfeeding instead of before so that it has some time to absorb into your skin. How is Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin different from other lanolins? There are many grades of lanolin ranging from a crude industrial grade to our ultra pure medical grade. Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin has been refined by a patented process to remove allergenic components such as the free lanolin alcohols and environmental impurities like pesticide residues and detergents. Because of the purity of Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin, it does not have to be removed prior to breastfeeding.

Question: Lanolin comes from what animal?
Answer: Sheep